ASE P2 Test Preparation Guide: Management

Mark Phillips, AAP, joined Babcox Media in 2008. He is Editor of Counterman magazine and managing editor of AftermarketNews.com. Prior to joining Babcox, Mark worked for more than 13 years in the newspaper industry, and edited several newspapers in Ohio and Boston, Mass. He is a graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University. He received his Automotive Aftermarket Professional (AAP) designation from Northwood University. He recently covered trade shows in Taipei and Frankfurt.

In the general operations category, there are 10 questions on topics such as: calculating discounts; determining the need for special orders; performing money transactions; performing sales and credit invoicing; assisting with employee and customer training; and knowing the value of company policies and procedures.

The counterpro’s ability to tackle cataloging issues also plays a part in the P2. Six questions will cover topics such as: locating the proper catalog and identifying needed parts; catalog terminology and abbreviations; performing catalog maintenance; and utilizing additional reference materials, such as technical bulletins, interchange lists, specification guides, Web site, etc.

Three questions are allocated to a counterpro’s knowledge of inventory management. These include issues such as reporting lost sales; verifying incoming and outgoing merchandise; handling special orders and outside purchases; knowing the reasons for performing a physical inventory; and accounting for store-use items.

Finally, there are two questions concerning merchandising. They can be on topics such as: understanding display strategy; inspecting and maintaining shelf quantities and condition; utilizing sales aides; and identifying impulse and seasonal items.

Here are some sample questions:

1. Paint and body supplies should be rotated: a. Every six months b. When stock arrives c. When doing inventory d. At least once per year

2. Which battery has a better cost value per month? a. $39.95 with a 40-month warranty b. $42.95 with a 50-month warranty c. $54.95 with a 60-month warranty d. $59.95 with a 75-month warranty

3. A customer comes in while a parts specialist is on the telephone with another customer. Which of these should the parts specialist do? a. Finish with the telephone customer first b. Put the telephone customer on hold and wait on the walk-in customer c. Acknowledge the walk-in customer and finish with the telephone customer d. Finish with the telephone customer and pull their order